How to select the best grant applications in an AI-driven environment

Artificial intelligence is on the rise. Every day, it seems, AI is capable of doing more than it could the day before. Companies, organisations and people across the globe are busy trying to figure out how to use it and how it can help.

In the world of grants and scholarships, organisations at first were fearful. How could they combat the rise of unoriginal content? We’ve already gone over ways to best detect and avoid AI-generated content in submissions, but, really, there’s a lot more to consider when choosing the best applications for your grant or funding initiative. 

First, let’s just say this: the idea of application support is not new. Grant writers, after all, have been around for decades.

There has always been some level of assistance available to those with resources who want to ensure they submit the best and brightest application possible for any grant or funding opportunity. 

Let’s also consider the idea that AI-assisted applications are not necessarily a bad thing. It doesn’t have to devolve into an argument of good over evil or original versus artificially created content. 

There are situations where AI tools can help level the playing field and give opportunities to organisations and people who previously would not have had access.  

AI is the new normal

There is no doubt we’ll see more and more of the nonprofit world use AI, The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently reported.

At nonprofits, savvy fundraisers saw the [AI] chatbot’s potential to automate mundane, time-sucking tasks like writing social-media posts, drafting thank-you notes to donors and completing grant applications.”

Here are some examples of how it can be used:

• A non-English speaker could use AI to submit an application in English. Language is no longer a barrier. Great! 
• Small teams with limited resources can use AI to help them write their grant applications when previously they could not have afforded a grant writer. Good! 
• Small teams with limited resources can use AI to generate presentations, funding requests and regular reports much more quickly, providing more time for their mission at hand. Great!

With AI-generated content on the rise and the ability for grantseekers to do more with less, it presents a fresh reminder of the importance of a solid, well-balanced grant application review process. 

Effective evaluation tools are more important than ever before in finding the best applications for your funding opportunity or scholarship. 

You need grant management software that can tailor the review process to your specific and nuanced criteria and guarantee the best outcomes, every time. 

You need easy, powerful and flexible review tools to help you assess applications and make sound funding decisions to help minimise your risk and increase your funding impact. 

Let’s go over some checkpoints to consider in your review process. 

Eligibility criteria: Does the applicant meet the basics? 

There is where automation comes in handy on the grantmaking side of the process! Create an eligibility quiz as the first step of the application process. This can be set up based on specific criteria that every applicant must meet to be considered for your grant or funding support. 

Then, set up an automated process where the applicant must answer these questions before diving deeper into the application process. Those who do not meet the basic eligibility criteria are then immediately diverted before they can continue any further. Everyone saves time! 

Programmatic quality: Does the opportunity meet standards for quality?

This is where detailed, nuanced criteria comes into play. Every program or opportunity is different, and you need the flexibility to score each application based on a set of criteria that pertains to your opportunity and program alone.

For example, you might want to have a panel of reviewers from your organisation or community assess each application for specific features, such as: 

• Organisation history and structure
• Proposed project planning and outcomes
• Diversity, equity and inclusion characteristics
• Community need
• And so much more—the options are endless!

 

Qualitative scoring can be subjective and in the world of AI where everyone may be saying the same “right” things, taking advantage of quantitative scoring is a must. 

By quantitatively scoring applications against specific and defined criteria important to your grantmaking organisation, you create a review process that evaluates the meaningful quality of a program approach and helps the most suitable applications rise to the top, making funding decisions easier. Learn how the Good Grants review suite and leaderboard can help.

Financial viability: Does the application meet financial and budgetary requirements? 

Financial viability is another important factor for many grant opportunities. It’s pertinent to request projected budgets and planning for any project or opportunity to see how the funding will be used to maximise program impact. 

You can request detailed budget information and utilise automation tools like formula fields to transform data provided by applicants or grantees on a form. 

Technical competency: Does the applicant have demonstrable expertise? 

For programs that are awarding funds to applicants with specific experience or credentials, it’s important to capture technical competencies in the application process. 

There are different ways to solicit evidence of expertise, and this is the perfect opportunity to ask for supporting documents or multimedia. For example, you could request supporting research, video or photographic evidence, or perhaps links to articles published by the applicant. 

To keep the application neat and organised, create a section of the application just for attachments or links, and provide specific details on upload and attachment requirements, such as size, format and more. This keeps your applications consistent and makes it easier for your review team to compare and assess each submission. 

Provide a well-rounded assessment

There are so many different ways to assess a grant application. Your program is unique and your assessment process should be, too. 

Grant management software like Good Grants can offer you the flexibility you need to provide a holistic review. With five different review modes and powerful configuration options, Good Grants provides a reliable, consistent and easy way to select the best applications for your grant or scholarship program.

But don’t just take our word for it! Try Good Grants for free for 14 days.